Seattle Seahawks Problems Start and End in the Trenches

With the 2009 season in the books, its time to start looking at next year. What are our positions of weakness? The thing we lack most? The missing key that has been holding us back from stretches of dominance, outside the NFC Worst.

The problem with the Hawks is in the trenches, on both sides of the ball.

They lack enthusiasm. They lack will power. They lack attitude. They lack the ability to stay on the field.

They lack talent.

This offseason Ruskell, or whoever, will have sit down with Mora, Knapp, and Gus Bradley, and figure this thing out. Hopefully they come to a conclusion, that many of us have already come to.

We need talent. We need a playmaking cornerstone for our defense for years to come. Someone who creates opportunities for our linebacking trio, and returns Marcus Trufant to his Pro Bowl form.

Elvis Dumervil. Dumervil, 25, is entering free agency after the season, and will be asking for a fat wad of that green stuff. If I know Belichick (and I do) he wouldn't pony up the cash, preferring to create his next playmaker. I'd have to guess McDaniels will want to do the same.

Seattle is a hard place to convince free agents to come to. With the long plane rides, remote feeling, weather and lack of Lombardi trophies, this isn't the ideal "go to" place for a budding star.

We do, however, have the VMAC, as well as Quest Field and the 12th man pride. We also have Paul Allen.

Paul Allen has a will to win and will do whatever it takes, and has the cash and track record to back it up. With huge amounts being thrown at Patrick Kerney, TJ Houshmandzadeh and Deion Branch in recent years, he's a step away from Dan Snyder.

In my estimation, it would take six years/$54-60 million. This is based off Chris Canty (six yr./$42M) and Terrell Suggs (six yr./$63M). With the league headed into an uncapped year, this deal should be heavily frontloaded, so we can afford other premier players.

In order to make this signing, we release Patrick Kerney and plug Dumervil in his place.

As for the rest of the line, the talent is there, we just need to use it properly.

For starters, Colin Cole should only be used in Goal Line situations, if that, as he has proven he is completely inept. Brandon Mebane slides back to LDT, where he excelled in previous years, freeing up sacks for Kerney and Darryl Tapp.

At the other end will be a revolving door of Tapp, Lawrence Jackson and maybe even Nick Reed. In the draft we could scoop up first round talents like Brandon Graham or Derrick Morgan if the opportunity comes with our second round pick.

That's all I've got for right now. I can almost guarantee you this plan will change come free agency and draft time, so don't be surprised.